(WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.) – Stephanie Foster (Sr., Lodi, OH/Cloverleaf) became Walsh University’s first NCAA All-American after she finished fourth in pole vault at the Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships on Friday. All-America honors are given to those who scored any portion of a team point, or top eight, in an event at the NCAA Championships. Foster’s finish gave Walsh four points in the team scoring.

She finished tied with two other pole vaulters for fourth-place honors. After being given a pass when the bar was set at 3.55 meters, Foster cleared her first attempt at 3.70 meters, or 12 feet 1 inch. The bar was then set at 3.85 meters, six inches higher than the previous spot. Foster was unable to clear that mark as her quest for an indoor national championship ended.

Foster joined Heather Glenn of Pittsburg State (Kan.) and Taylor Cipicchio of Missouri S&T on the podium stand. Glenn and Cipicchio both had to clear 3.55 meters before they attempted 3.7 meters. They too also cleared the mark on their first attempt to qualify for the tie.

Sioux Falls’ Brigitte Gross won the event after she cleared 3.95 meters on her second attempt. Southern Connecticut State’s Michelle Grecni finished second after she cleared 3.85 meters on her first attempt. Queens’ (N.C.) Shelby Kennard finished third when she cleared 3.85 meters on her second attempt.

With the indoor season now closed for Walsh, Foster will set her sights on the outdoor competition. She won’t have much time to rest as the first outdoor competition is next week when the Cavaliers head to Muskingum for the Amy Adams Invitational on Saturday, March 22.